Podcast headphones are very popular right now. What are they? Why do you need them? What should you consider before purchasing them? They have a number of features that you should look for and which headphones will be best for your podcasting needs.
Before purchasing a pair of headphones for you, it is important to consider factors such as size, sound quality, price range, style preference (such as on-ear or over-ear), etc. When you are looking for headphones for podcast recording, there are a few things you should consider things you won’t need if you’re just buying regular headphones to listen to music.
In this blog post, we will explain these specifications and their importance. The most important ones are microphone placement and preventing audio leakage.
Podcast headphones come in all shapes and sizes and can be more expensive than regular headphones. In this blog post, we will also discuss the various features you should consider before purchasing headphones for podcasts, as well as a list of our top picks for you to choose from.
When testing headphones for podcasting, the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO came out on top. They are a high quality device with excellent build quality. They come with detachable audio cables, including a coiled cable, which is ideal if you need portability but don’t want to deal with tangled wires. It also comes with extra ear pads. The headphones have generous ear cups and a comfortable design, making them ideal for long recording sessions.
Additionally, they are effective at absorbing mid-range sounds such as conversations, but can leak a little at high volumes. When not in use, the headphones can be stored in a durable but bulky case that keeps the device secure while you carry it. It is worth noting,
These headphones provide well-balanced sound that makes voices clearer and more natural. Of course, some high frequencies, such as the sibilance of vocals and instruments, may sound a little muffled, but this is not critical. At the same time, the high-frequency range is a little weak, but does not interfere at all.
Listening to music and enjoying its sound in them is quite pleasant. As for the passive sound stage, it is somewhat unnatural due to the closed design of the headphones, which, however, is normal for this type of device. It’s also worth noting that these headphones may require adjustments for more stable and accurate sound reproduction.
Pros
- Great quality, great design, and built tough
- Attractive but not overdone aesthetics
- Fantastic sound
Cons
- The godawful cable
- Not much else
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are headphones worth considering if you’re looking to save money. Even though they’re significantly cheaper than our top pick, many podcasters choose headphones in this price range. They’re not as well-built as the DT 1770 PRO, but the sound is of a high standard and they’re a more affordable option if you need multiple pairs of headphones for recording with colleagues.
The DT 770 PRO features a wide passive soundstage and analytical sound that helps achieve clarity and precision in speech reproduction. Some people may consider sibilance sounds redundant, but they can be useful for identifying flaws in your recordings. Overall, if you’re looking for headphones for podcasting but want to spend less money, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is a great choice.
When purchasing these headphones, you need to keep in mind that to get the best quality sound you will need an amplifier. However, if you don’t have an audio interface, you can buy a lower impedance version of the headphones – 32 or 80 ohms. It is worth noting that they can distort the sound at high volumes, which can affect the quality of the recording, so in this case, it is worth considering an alternative – the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These headphones have better sound isolation and less expressive treble but also have a less immersive passive soundstage.
Pros
- High-quality sound reproduction
- Affordable podcasting option
- Wide soundstage for clarity
Cons
- Consider lower impedance version
If you want a great pair of headphones that can handle it all, the Sony MDR7506/1 is the perfect choice for over-ear headphones. Featuring 40mm drivers for powerful, detailed sound, these large-diaphragm foldable headphones are designed to handle just about anything life throws at you.
They come with 12 other great features such as neodymium magnets and flat cables, making them ideal for those who care about looking good while listening. From the gold-plated stopper to the ability to fold into the included soft case, these cans have what you need for any situation. You won’t regret trying these.
These are headphones that deliver a lot of power in a pint size. The quality and design of this set of Sony 7506 headphones is taken very seriously: they fold compactly and come in a protective soft case that’s perfect for carrying in your bag or packing with other travel gear when you hit the road, so when the DJ is cutting mix, but you want to keep listening to your iPod, it will serve you very well as a backup until he gets his act together again.
They also feature a reinforced cable and gold-plating on one end so sound travels freely with minimal interference; plus a 1/4 inch adapter included.
These carefully designed headphones are designed for any activity on the go. Whatever you do, these Sony MDR7506/1 will fit your active lifestyle. The headphones are made of durable but lightweight materials, so you can take them with you on the go. And don’t forget, you get 8 hours of quality listening time with one AAA battery.
Pros
- Includes neodymium magnets, flat cables
- Durable materials, active lifestyle
- Powerful sound, 40mm drivers
- Foldable, stylish, and portable
- 8-hour listening time
Cons
- AAA battery required for operation
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is a good choice for those looking for affordable headphones. While their build quality may seem a bit lackluster compared to the previous model, they make up for this with their accurate midrange response, which makes voice sound clear and detailed. The headphones provide a fairly comfortable and breathable ear cushion that allows them to be used comfortably for long periods of time. Although they may let some sounds through, their audio leakage is still quite low, avoiding possible audio issues during recording.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are interesting headphones that have decent sound quality and a fairly comfortable design. Their compact size makes them easy to take with you anywhere, and the soft ear pads ensure comfortable wearing for several hours. However, they have problems blocking out external noise, which can reduce sound quality when used on a noisy street or on public transport. If you are looking for earbuds that have good sound and don’t mind noise, then these headphones might be the perfect choice for you.
Superlux HD 681 are on-ear headphones with high sound quality for professional use. If you care about the quality of sound recording and editing, then you should pay attention to this model. They have a semi-open design that creates an immersive soundstage. They also provide more expressive highs, allowing you to spot flaws in tracks. However, a semi-open design may allow more sound to pass through, and the sound may be a bit harsh and fatiguing.
Pros
- Comfortable for long use
- Compact and portable
- Affordable price
Cons
- Semi-open design, some sound leakage
If you’re not a fan of in-ear headphones, the MOONDROP Aria is a great alternative. These are the best headphones we’ve tested in this form factor. Over-ear headphones may be more comfortable for some users, and due to their style, they are able to block out more background noise and provide clearer sound than over-ear headphones in the same price range, such as the Sony MDR-7506. MOONDROP Aria comes with multiple ear tip sizes, removable tips and filters, making them suitable for any ear type. Some users have complained about problems with the cable, but replacing it with another is not a big deal.
The headphones we’ll be looking at today have a fairly neutral sound profile and handle speech very well, but voices are slightly pushed into the background of the mix. Also, sibilants like S and T sound rather dull. However, in-ear headphones aren’t quite as good at creating an immersive soundstage as over-ear headphones. As a result, the sound you hear appears to be coming from your head rather than from the speakers around you.
MOONDROP Aria are good for neutral sound. They have a fairly neutral sound profile, tuned with a touch of extra punch and warmth to help balance out their light low bass. The mids sound clean and crisp, although a little recessed, which can push vocals and drag instruments toward the back of the mix. Their rolled-up treble hides vocals and lead instruments at the end of the mix, while sibilants such as cymbals have a very lisp.
Pros
- Best non-in-ear headphone option
- Comfortable over-ear design
- Versatile ear tip options
- Easy cable replacement
Cons
- Dull S and T sounds
Conclusion
We’ve compiled a list of recommendations for our best headphones for podcasting, which are available at a variety of price points and are, in our opinion, the best choices on the market. In our choice, we take into account not only price, but also reviews, availability and sound quality.
We understand that ideally, no headphone is perfect for everyone, and so if you’re looking for one that’s right for you, we suggest checking out our list of reviews of headphones that are good for neutral sound.
However, remember that ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences, taste and listening habits, which can greatly influence your decision.
Best Headphones for Podcasts: Buying Guide:
Headphone type:
There are two types of headphones for such things – closed-back and open-back headphones. Closed-back headphones are found to be more comfortable as they avoid sound leakage, unlike their counterpart which is less efficient in terms of this feature. They block all external noise and provide complete sound insulation.
Design:
When choosing headphones, consider your design preference: on-ear or in-ear. Over-ear headphones excel at noise isolation and sound quality due to full ear coverage.
However, some brands like Beats and Bose place microphones in over-ears, causing recording distortion.
If you prefer lighter options, on-ear headphones sit atop your ears, offering comfort but less noise cancellation than over-ears.
Pad:
This is also something to look out for when you’re considering headphones. Look for headphones with thick padding (at least an inch) because they will be able to protect your ears from the plastic of the headphones themselves, which can become uncomfortable after a while.
Also, check to see if they are customizable, especially if you plan to share them with other podcasters!
Price range:
Most headphones cost somewhere between $20-$200, so the price range shouldn’t be too much of a factor when choosing headphones unless money is really tight and saving money is the number one priority no matter what choice you make. However, there are headphones that cost more than $500.
Microphone location:
When choosing headphones for podcast recording, prioritize those with an omnidirectional microphone located inside the ear cup.
Omnidirectional microphones capture sound from all directions simultaneously, ensuring balanced volume levels and dynamic range in your recordings.
Some headphones may lack this feature, so double-check before purchasing. Additionally, consider other technical aspects when selecting podcast headphones.
Sensitivity:
In terms of sensitivity, this means better conversion of the electrical signal to the acoustic signal.
The better the sensitivity, the louder the sound will be. Typically, when purchasing headphones for podcasts, you should look for a sensitivity between 80 and 125 dB.
Speaker Diameter:
This is another technical feature to consider when purchasing headphones for podcasts.
Headphones with large drivers are capable of producing high-quality audio, which is important when choosing headphones for podcast recording if you want your podcast to be crisp and clear.
Maximum input power:
It’s also important to consider how much power the headphones can handle before distortion occurs.
If this number is low, it means they won’t be able to produce loud enough sound, and you may need to upgrade your hardware if necessary. For podcast headphones, look for something around 60 mW or higher.
Frequency response range:
Headphones should have a frequency range of 20 Hz to 22 kHz, which essentially covers the entirety of human hearing at both ends of the spectrum.
For recording, you’ll need headphones that produce an accurate and flat frequency response so you know the true quality of the sound you’re recording.
Impedance:
For headphones that work well for podcasts, you want low impedance, which is between 32 and 80 ohms. This is because a suitable pair of headphones requires a small amount of power to provide higher sound levels.
Finally, headphones with a maximum input power of less than 15 mW are generally considered safe.
